A recital is a concert given by a one, or more, teacher's
students. A student plays one or more pieces as a solos, duets,
or in groups. Students of all levels perform at recitals. There
is no judge at a recital. The settings are usually small.
In attendance are parents, friends, family and the teacher(s).
The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive. They usually occur
once or twice a year: late spring and winter.

[+]What is a Contest?

A contest is an event in which many teachers' students
compete for one or more prizes (money, ribbons, plaques,
trophies, scholarships, etc.). The students are usually divided
by age group. The winners (first, second, third, honorable
mention) are chosen by judges (usually non-participating
teachers) based on the contestants performances. The settings
are much larger than recitals and many more students
participate. Often, contests require that students perform from
memory.

[+]What is a Festival or Audition?

Like a contest, a festival or audition is a judged event
where students are rated individually for their performances.
Unlike a contest it usually occurs in a private setting.
Sometimes, the term "festival" is used to mean "contest."

[+]Should My Child Participate in Recitals?

The advantages to encouraging the participation in recitals is to help students:

establish definite goals and to work toward them. Having
a upcoming scheduled event to work toward provides incentive
and motivation to the student. Those students who desire to
perform in scheduled events practice more and learn more.

gain more self-confidence. By participating in recitals
students prove to themselves that he can perform under a bit
of pressure.

share their musical experiences with family and friends,
as well as receive recognition and congratulations from them
and teacher.

understand how their performances compare with students
of their own age (for students who wish to perform in
contests, festivals or auditions).

learn the etiquette of performance settings.

The final answer depends on the child. Some children can't
wait to get out there and perform; they could not be talked out
of it if you tried. Other children are a bit more shy and need
some time to find themselves; perhaps they need more mileage
with these new experiences. As a parent, it is important not to
force children to do things that is contradictory to their
personality. What may have been an initial interest in learning
music can soon be turned into a chore or a dreaded upcoming event.

[+]Is participation mandatory?

No, it is not mandatory for any student to participate in a public performance, however, I do
gently encourage my students to participate. I discuss with them the advantages to performing
along with their peers and sharing their hard work with their family and friends, but I respect
any student's choice if they do not wish to participate.